Rabbit refusing to drink

Question
The rabbit will not drink anything at all (other than what I give him with the syringe. I didn't give him any critical care today. Should I stop giving him fluid with the syringe for a day to see if he will begin to drink? I have kept a diary of what I give him and at what time & it is usually approximately 94 cc's per day, so I would think that with his weight being 3.9 lbs. then that would not be enough & he would drink, but he won't. Also, if I continue to give him fluid with the syringe how many cc's at one sitting is enough (or too much)?

Thanks for your help!


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Followup To
Question -
My 8 year old male Netherland Dwarf rabbit recently had some molar spurs filed down by a Vet who also gave us some "Critical Care" (since he had not eaten in a little more than a day), some Baytril, & some Metacam for pain. Upon returning home from the office, he began eating immediately! However, as the evening progressed he ate less & less until he ate nothing at all & he also refused to drink. I began syringe feeding him Critical Care & also water, pedialyte, & simethicone. Although he began eating on his own again after another day or so, he refused to drink anything. He also did not poop for a few days. His urine was dark for a day or so, but now looks normal again. I understand that the molar spurs can cause them to go into GI Stasis so I just kept giving him the water, pedialyte & simethicone with a syringe & I gently massaged his belly. He has been eating only hay (except when I supplement with the Critical Care). He seems much better now. He's also pooping again, but I just can't figure out why he still won't drink. I am trying to avoid taking him to the Vet again because I don't want to cause him anymore stress. However, it is very hard to make sure he has enough to drink. I have been giving the fluids round the clock to keep him well-hydrated. I read that rabbits should be getting about 90 - 100 cc of fluid for every 2.2 lbs. of weight, is this true? My rabbit weighs 3.9 lbs.. Since he is only eating hay he is only getting what I give him in the syringe. How much can safely be given at one time? PLEASE HELP!!    
Answer -
Dear Karen,

I worry much more if a rabbit drinks excessively than if he doesn't drink "enough".  What's "enough" can vary from rabbit to rabbit, as well as with the season and surroundings.  If he's eating his greens and wet Critical Care, and if his urine doesn't look overly dark and concentrated, then he is probably getting sufficient liquid from what he's eating.

I would cut back on the Critical Care for now, and I wouldn't be surprised if you see him start to drink, once you stop orally giving him all the fluid he seems to need.

Normal fluid intake is about 90ml/kg of rabbit (2.2 lbs) per day, but you'd be surprised just how much liquid is in the common things they eat--even hay and pellets.

So keep an eye on his urine, and if it looks and smells normal, I wouldn't worry unduly.

Hope this helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana

Answer
Hi, Karen

Yes, I would suggest you stop giving him oral liquids for a day or two, and see if he starts drinking.  Monitor the concentration of his pee, and if it starts getting really dark and thick again, then he may need to be checked for molar spurs.  Some rabbits will refuse to drink (or have other strange eating idiosyncracies) if they have painful molar problems:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

Hope this helps!

Dana